Monday, August 22, 2011

THE NORA AUNOR PHENOMENON

Absence doesn’t necessarily make the heart grow fonder. At least, this is not always true in show business what with all those disposable talents waiting to take over. Eight years is also a long time.

But trust Nora Aunor to once more break the unwritten showbiz rules in the same way she broke barriers more than 40 years ago when she ushered in the era of diminutive and dark-skinned actresses.

Although she was immediately recognized as a phenomenon after her 1967 Tawag ng Tanghalan grand champion win, the entertainment industry wasn’t exactly sure what to do with this tiny brown girl with a golden voice in the beginning.

Even Nora herself didn’t know what step to take next that time. There was even this phase when she almost migrated to the US (yes, America had always lured her to settle there) after she did the front act at the Araneta Coliseum concert of singer Timi Yuro.

Timi wanted to adopt her and bring her to the United States. For a while, Nora did consider the option. But she never regretted having stayed behind because of the succeeding events in her life.

During that period two young female stars were being groomed to take over the movie queen thrones vacated by Susan Roces and Amalia Fuentes – Helen Gamboa and Roces’ own sister Rosemarie (she didn’t use her real surname Sonora until later).

Helen unofficially gave up her right to the crown when she married Tito Sotto leaving Rosemarie free to claim the movie queen title. Rosemarie by then was the only remaining contract star of Sampaguita Pictures (every one else had gone free lance).

The late great star-builder, Dr. Jose Perez, knew there was something big awaiting Nora and he lost no time offering the singing champion a contract with Sampaguita. Like all the other studio-manufactured stars before her, Nora was made to go through the process of waiting it out till she was ripe enough to carry her film by initially playing support to Rosemarie. The Nora-Tirso (Cruz III) tandem was born, but they were second fiddles to Rosemarie and Ricky Belmonte.

Nora didn’t have to wait long. It was evident that she had developed a huge fan base that could make her a gold mine at the box-office. She was so idolized that whenever she would meet with her fans, some of her followers got down on their knees to kiss the hemline of her dress.

Her films (and records) became huge moneymakers that she was able to make demands that she be paid in cash (not checks) that had to be delivered to her house in a bayong (native woven basket).

Unfortunately for Sampaguita, which was the first company to gamble on Nora, their prized property was tempted to accept film projects from other movie studios. That triggered a lengthy court battle initiated by Sampaguita that legally had the right to her services as a movie star (the judge in the end ruled in favor of Dr. Perez). Lucky for Nora, while her case was being heard in court, she was still able to make movies for both companies. That turned her into an even bigger star.

But away from the protective walls of Sampaguita, Nora also opened herself up to all types of showbiz vultures. Without her knowing it, a movie company would make her do three films for the price of one.

It was easy to mount a Nora big screen musical that time. All the director had to do was make her render a series of song numbers and all that could be turned into three separate film projects, but she only got paid for one.

Of course, she eventually realized that she had been had. But she had already been milked dry by then. Showbiz analysts point to this as the reason why she rebelled and became difficult to work and deal with. Perhaps in her young mind, she was always conscious of the sad fact that everyone was out to take advantage of her. And her suspicions weren’t exactly inaccurate. Welcome to the wild jungles of show business where predators abound.

But despite her reputation for pulling stunts that always included disappearing acts, her star shone even brighter. By the early ‘70s, she had been acknowledged as the superstar a take-off from the hit foreign musical, Jesus Christ, Superstar.

It also helped that she knew how to play her cards right. She formed her own movie outfit, NV films, that allowed her to pursue screen parts that were her own choice and not just some role rammed down her throat by a studio out to make a fast buck out of her.

In 1976, her attempt to be recognized as a serious and respected actress finally bore fruits with this validation from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino that hailed her as the group’s first Best Actress winner (for Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos). In 1976, her attempt to be recognized as a serious and respected actress finally bore fruits

Nora couldn’t ask for more at that point. She had both popularity and respect.

And then came longevity.

By the time she left for the US eight years ago, she and rival Vilma Santos had already established themselves as the two longest-reigning queens of Philippine movies.

Now that she had returned, the interest in her had not waned. Even the young generation became curious about her. Showbiz observers of almost 50 years ago were actually right about their assessment of her. Nora Aunor, the superstar, is truly a phenomenon.

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PROUD TO BE FILIPINO! NORA AUNOR FOR NATIONAL ARTIST!

SUPERSTAR NORA AUNOR

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TRANSLATION

NORA AUNOR IS UP's GAWAD PLARIDEL AWARDEE

This portrait will be displayed at the Gawad Plaridel Gallery at the Lobby of U.P. College of Mass Communication.

KABISERA

"This socio-political drama unfolds as a quietly powerful and gripping story of a tightly-knit family coming to grips with abusive elements of Philippine society, specifically the hooded perpetrators of extra-judicial killings. Taking issue with human rights violations doesn’t only serve the film as fine advocacy for its relevant and timely choice of theme, but also subtly reveals various other concerns imbedded in the thread of conflicts. A sure, steady directorial hand, conscientious script and effective cinematography are matched by the lead actors’ faultless performances. This taut and tragic drama will disturb viewers with its stark chronology of what confronts us daily in an often oppressive urban milieu, with the final imagery delivering a subtle footnote to our awareness of the proper place of vaunted justice in our society."

TATLONG TAONG WALANG DIYOS

The digitally restored and remastered TATLONG TAONG WALANG DIYOS will premiere at Cinema One Originals this November 15 at Trinoma! Stay tuned for announcements on how to get a chance to watch the premiere of this 1976 classic.

HINULID

Synopsis: A woman returns to the village of Kagbunga in the Bikol region carrying the ashes of her only son via the old train that circles her universe like the tandayag, the primordial serpent. In a filial act of mourning, she will reckon and reconcile the thin line that exists between tragedy and transcendence and prove and that even the most broken life can be restored to its moments.

COVER FOR JUNE 2015

Nora Aunor, the first Filipino thespian to grace our cover.

TAKLUB (TRAP)

Brillante Ma. Mendoza’s latest work, “Taklub,” will make its Philippine premiere as the opening movie of the French Film Festival in Manila on June 3. An entry in the Un Certain Regard section of the recent Cannes Film Festival, it won the Ecumenical Jury Prize-Commendation (Special Mention) last Saturday. The acclaimed film, which top-bills Nora Aunor as a survivor of Supertyphoon “Yolanda,” will be shown at Greenbelt 3 in Makati.

CINEMALAYA X BEST ACTRESS

CONGRATULATIONS MS. NORA AUNOR!

IN PHILIPPINE CINEMAS: SEPT. 24

Some memories do come back to haunt you. Mara Fabre (Nora Aunor) is diagnosed with early onset dementia, In the hope of jogging her memory, she is brought by her cousin's family to her hometown in a remote island in Batanes. But instead of just recalling familiar places and faces, she then starts seeing visions no one else sees. It is only her young niece, Rachel (Jasmine Curtis Smith), who begins to wonder if what Mara sees is really just a by-product of her illness or if there really is something haunting her from the past.

FILM IN 2013

ANG KUWENTO NI MABUTI

FILM IN 2012

THY WOMB Fan Page

The year's most prestigious cinematic showcase: the story of the Bajau sea gypsies of Tawi-Tawi. Directed by Brillante Ma. Mendoza. Starring Nora Aunor and Bembol Roco.

THY WOMB BLOGSITE

SELECTED REVIEWS AND ARTICLES ON TE MOST INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED FILIPINO FILM [2012]

THY WOMB: THY FILM

Revealing the rigors of unconditional love, the nature of sacrifice is dramatized through the dilemma of a Bajau midwife as she copes with the irony of her own infertility amid the deprivations of her gypsy community in Tawi-Tawi. A saga of island life stuck between the devil of passion and the deep blue sea of tradition.

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NORA AUNOR: ICON of Philippine Cinema

NORA AUNOR: THE PHILIPPINE SUPERSTAR

Nora Aunor is a critically acclaimed Filipino Actress, Recording Artist and Film Producer. Aunor has also topbilled several stage plays, television shows and concerts.

NORA AUNOR DISCOGRAPHY

THE ARTISTRY OF NORA AUNOR

This page promotes the world-class artistry of Philippine actress Nora Aunor and how her life and her works influence art and culture in the Philippines.

SONGS OF NORA AUNOR

MY ONLY SUPERSTAR

Nora Aunor's Songs, Images and Movies

SI NORA AUNOR SA MGA NORANIAN

This unique anthology in Filipino is composed of 49 essays by a varied cross-section of Noranians on their memories of the cultural icon that is Nora Aunor and their confessions of the compelling reasons that drove them to become diehard fans.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ATE GUY!!!

MAY 21, 2013

NORANIANA COLLECTION

NORANIANA - n. refers to book and nonbook materials related to Nora Aunor, in whole or in part, produced in or outside the Philippines, by Filipinos or non-Filipinos, in any of the Philippine Languages or in a foreign language

SA PUSO NG HIMALA

HIMALA COFFEE TABLE BOOK. Available Now! Get your copy!

HIMALA [Restored Version]

Now Available! Grab your copy!

HIMALA sa Buhangin

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SUPERSTARSTRUCK

Noranians are people smitten by a talent extraordinaire: Ms. Nora Aunor, a singer with golden voice, world-class film artist, cultural icon, living legend—the ultimate multimedia Superstar of the Philippine entertainment industry. Noranians are SUPERSTARstruck.